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We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs March 3 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Rajasthan, Gujarat on February 28, 2026 
On 28 February 2026, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi undertook a significant day-long visit to Rajasthan and Gujarat to launch a nationwide healthcare initiative and inaugurate several high-value development and industrial projects.
Highlights of the Visit:
Launch: PM Narendra Modi launched the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Programme in Kayad, Ajmer (Rajasthan) targeting girls aged 14 years across all States and Union Territories (UTs).

• The programme uses a single-dose Gardasil 4 (quadrivalent HPV vaccine) protecting against HPV types 16, 18, 6, and 11.

Inauguration: He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 16,680 crore in Rajasthan, spanning sectors including urban development, drinking water supply, roads, irrigation, energy, and industrial infrastructure.
ATMP Facility: PM Narenda Modi inaugurated the Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) facility of Micron Semiconductor Technology India Private Limited (MSTIPL) in Sanand, Gujarat.

• The Boise, United States of America (USA)-based Micron Technology invested Rs 22,516 crore in the Sanand facility.

Union MoS Dr Jitendra Singh Inaugurates Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors at BRIC-RGCB, Kerala
On 1 March 2026, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge), Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), inaugurated the newly established Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors at the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Centre–Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB), Akkulam campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, “as part of National Science Day 2026 celebrations(28 February 2026).
Key Details:
Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors: The advanced biotechnology research facility aims to strengthen drug discovery, Medical Genomics (MG), and Agri-Genomics (AG) research while accelerating target-specific drug discovery and high-throughput screening.

• Developed with an approximate Rs 60 crore capital outlay by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

cGMP Facility : Union Minister Jitendra Singh also laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) facility at the Akkulam campus of BRIC-RGCB.

• Implemented in two phases with a total outlay of Rs 80 crore by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

Book: He also released the book titled “Quantum Physics: One Hundred Magical Years” authored by V. P. N. Nampoori.

National Arogya Fair 2026 Held in Shegaon, Maharashtra
The National Arogya Fair 2026 was successfully held from 25–28 February 2026 at Shegaon in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, bringing together healthcare professionals, policymakers, traditional medicine practitioners, and wellness stakeholders.

• The fair showcased services across all major systems of medicine, including Allopathy, Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH), with a focus on affordable and accessible healthcare for the masses.

About National Arogya Fair:
Organisers: It was organised by the Ministry of AYUSH in collaboration with the All India Ayurvedic Congress(AIAC).
Inaugural Ceremony: The Fair was inaugurated by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at the sacred Visava Maidan of Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan.
Award: During the event, the President felicitated six senior Vaidyas in recognition of their significant contributions to the AYUSH healthcare system.

• Jeevan Gaurav: Vaidya Devendra Triguna
• Ayurveda Gaurav Samman: Rakesh Amarnath Sharma, P. M. Warrier of Arya Vaidya Sala, Ramdas Avhad, Maneesha Upendra Kothekar, and Ashutosh Satish Gupta.

Free Healthcare Services: A major highlight of the Fair was the extensive healthcare outreach provided free of cost to the public.

MoTA Announces 3 Festivals to Celebrate Tribal Arts, Music, Culture and Commerce in March 2026
In March 2026, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs(MoTA) announced a series of three flagship festivals to showcase the richness of India’s tribal heritage, promote cultural expression, and strengthen market and livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.
About Three Flagship Festivals:
Tribes Art Fest (TAF) 2026: This festival will be held from 2–13 March 2026 at Travancore Palace Art Gallery, New Delhi.
Living Roots Festival (LRF): This festival will take place from 13–15 March 2026 at Bikaner House and India Gate(New Delhi).
Bharat Tribes Fest (BTF) 2026: This festival is scheduled from 18–30 March 2026 at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi.

ISA and IIT Delhi FFA to Advance Solar Skills Across Member Countries
In February 2026, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi),  formalised a Framework for Action (FFA) in New Delhi, Delhi to strengthen cooperation in advancing renewable energy, focusing on capacity building, academic collaboration, and human resource development across ISA Member Countries.

• The agreement was signed by Ashish Khanna, Director General (DG), ISA, and Professor Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi.

About the Framework:
Purpose: The framework strengthens collaboration between ISA and IIT Delhi’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering to enhance global clean energy capacity.
Previous Collaboration: The partnership has supported an M.Tech (Master of Technology) programme in Renewable Energy Technologies and Management (RETM) for professionals from 18 developing countries in Africa and the Asia-Pacific.
Key Objectives: The collaboration focuses on four core areas include:

• Capacity: Develops global solar talent through Solar Technology Application Resource-Centre (STAR-C) trainer programmes and a one-year Post Graduate Diploma (PGD)based on a Train-the-Trainers (ToT) model.
• Academic: Expands programmes beyond M. Tech to include Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Solar Energy, leveraging INES (Institut National de l’Énergie Solaire), France, to create a global framework for clean energy capability.
• Research: Promotes solar research integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Blockchain technologies.
• Knowledge: Organises joint workshops and outreach to strengthen global solar knowledge-sharing.

HCLTech and IIT Kanpur Partner to Drive Deep Tech Innovation for GCCs
In February 2026, HCL Technologies (HCLTech), a leading global technology company, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh(UP), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to translate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and intelligent systems research into enterprise-ready solutions for Global Capability Centers(GCCs)

• The MoU was signed during the ‘GCC 4.0: Co-Creating India’s Innovation Powerhouse’ summit held in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Key Details:
Scope: Focuses on AI, robotics, advanced engineering, and next-generation technologies.
Collaboration: Combines HCLTech’s GCC solutions with IIT Kanpur’s research and startup ecosystem, providing researchers access to real-world challenges, research funding, and industry mentorship.
Other MoUs: The IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal(WB), also signed an MoU with
Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communication, to strengthen indigenous sixth generation(6G), AI, and next-generation telecom technologies.

• Focus: 6G architecture, satellite and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), advanced antenna systems and Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technologies, AI-enabled Electromagnetic Field (EMF) monitoring, and telecom standardisation.

Nagaland Signs MoU with IMD to Boost Weather Forecasting
In February 2026, the Department of Higher Education, Nagaland, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences(MoES), in Kohima(Nagaland), to strengthen weather forecasting, atmospheric research, and capacity building in the state.
Key Details of MoU:
MoU Tenure: The MoU will remain valid for 20 years, establishing a long-term institutional partnership between IMD and the Nagaland Higher Education Department to promote academic engagement, joint research, training, and capacity building in meteorological and atmospheric sciences.
Radar Installation: One X-band Polarimetric Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) will be installed at Dimapur Government College, Oriental Colony, Dimapur(Nagaland), under the ‘Mission Mausam scheme.’
Disaster Preparedness: It will enhance understanding of state-specific weather hazards such as heavy rainfall and extreme weather events, supporting more reliable forecasts and disaster readiness.
Mission Mausam: Launched in 2024 by the Government of India(GoI) and implemented by the MoES through the IMD, the scheme focuses on modernising weather infrastructure, improving high-resolution forecasting, and strengthening early warning systems.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India, European Union to grant each other Most Favoured Nation status for 5 years
On 27th February 2026, the Government of India and the European Union (EU) agreed to grant each other Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status for a period of five years, starting from the date the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) enters into force.
About the India-EU MFN Provision:
Duration: MFN status is granted for five years from entry into force, subject to a fourth-year Joint Committee review and automatic termination unless mutually extended.
Exceptions: MFN excludes benefits arising from Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA), recognition and licensing measures under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), and sensitive agricultural products such as soya, beef, sugar, rice, and dairy.
About India- EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA):
Finalisation: The India–EU FTA, relaunched in 2022, was finalised in January 2026 and is expected to take effect after ratification by the European Parliament.
Coverage: The FTA eliminates or reduces tariffs on 96.6% of traded goods by value, saving 4 billion euros (USD 4.7 billion) for European companies and potentially doubling EU exports to India by 2032.

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI Imposes Rs 11.50 Lakh Penalty on  Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services 
In February 2026, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), imposed a monetary penalty of Rs.11.50 lakh on Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (MMFSL) for regulatory non-compliances observed during its annual inspection conducted with reference to the financial position as on 31 March 2025 (FY25).

• The penalty was levied under Section 58G(1)(b) read with Section 58B(5)(aa) of the RBI Act, 1934.

Reasons for the Penalty:
Fair Practices Code: RBI found that MMFSL breached its Fair Practices Code by charging revised foreclosure fees on certain loan accounts without including the required terms in the loan agreements.
Complaint-Handling Deficiencies: The central bank also observed shortcomings in MMFSL’s grievance redressal system. Complaints were not escalated to the Internal Ombudsman within the mandated timelines, and in some cases, final decisions were communicated to complainants later than prescribed by RBI regulations.
Regulatory Action: The RBI uncovered these issues during its inspection and subsequently issued a show-cause notice to the company.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

MoSPI releases New GDP Series: FY26 Growth Seen at 7.6%
In February 2026, the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the new series of Annual and Quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with a new base year 2022-23, replacing previous series with base year of 2011-12. 

• The NSO has released Second Advanced Estimates (SAE) of Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26), quarterly estimates from Q1 of FY23 to Q3 of FY26 and also annual estimates of FY23, FY24 and FY25.
• As per the estimate, India’s real GDP or GDP at Constant Prices is expected to grow by 7.6% at Rs 322.58 lakh crore (Cr) in FY26, higher than the First Advance Estimate(FAE) of 7.4% for FY25.

Annual Estimates for FY26
Nominal GDP: Nominal GDP or GDP at Current Prices is estimated to attain
a level of Rs 345.47 lakh Cr in the FY26, against Rs 318.07 lakh Cr in FY25, showing a growth rate of 8.6%.
Real Gross Value Added (GVA): It is estimated at Rs 294.40 lakh Cr in the year 2025-26, against Rs 273.36 lakh Cr in FY25, registering a growth rate of 7.7%.
Nominal GVA: Nominal GVA is projected to reach Rs 313.61 lakh Cr in FY 26, up from Rs 288.54 lakh Cr in FY25, reflecting a growth rate of 8.7%.

Bharti Airtel, Google Partners to Launch Secure RCS Messaging in India
In February 2026, Bharti Airtel, a leading Indian telecommunications service provider, and Google partnered to provide a secure and interactive messaging experience for millions of users in India.

• The initiative represents a world-first collaboration between a Telecom Service Provider (TSP) and a global technology platform to apply telecom-grade accountability to Over-the-Top (OTT) messaging.

Key Details:
Integration: This partnership combines Airtel’s network intelligence with Google’s Rich Communications Services (RCS) platform to enhance communication quality and strengthen digital safety.
Protection: The platform employs Artificial Intelligence(AI)-powered spam filters to perform real-time identity validation of business senders.

• It significantly reduces digital fraud by filtering malicious domains through multi-tiered threat detection layers and throttling suspicious message traffic.

Experience: Users can access RCS messaging via the Google Messages application(app) on Android smartphones. The service supports high-quality media sharing, message reactions, and interactive elements.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Ayatollah Alireza Arafi Named Iran’s Interim Supreme Leader After Ayatollah Ali Khamene’s Death
On March 1, 2026, Senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Alireza Arafi was appointed as Iran’s interim Supreme Leader following the following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint United States of America(USA)-Israel airstrike.

• He serves as Deputy Chairman of the Assembly of Experts (AoE) and has been a member of the Guardian Council (GC) since 2019, overseeing leadership selection, candidate vetting, and legislative review.

About Iran Interim Leadership:
Activation: Article 111 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran mandated a three-member Interim Leadership Council to exercise his powers temporarily until the Assembly of Experts appoints a successor.
Composition: The council comprises President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chief Justice (CJ) Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi as the jurist member from the Guardian Council, selected by the Expediency Discernment Council (EDC).

SPORTS

Jammu & Kashmir Clinches First Ranji Trophy Title 2025-26
The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) cricket team won its first-ever Ranji Trophy title 2025-26 by defeating eight-time champions Karnataka in the final held at Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Rajnagar Stadium, Hubballi, Karnataka on 28th February 2026.

• J&K clinched the championship with a commanding 291-run first-innings lead in a drawn five-day final, becoming the 19th team to win the trophy since their 1959–60 debut.

About Ranji Trophy 2025-26:
Match Summary: J&K posted 584 runs in the first innings (Shubham Pundir 121) and bowled out Karnataka for 293 (Auqib Nabi 5/54), while second-innings centuries from Qamran Iqbal (160*) and Sahil Lotra (101) extended the lead to 633 runs, securing the title on first-innings advantage after a draw.
Tournament Star: Auqib Nabi was named Player of the Tournament with 62 wickets, emerging as the season’s leading wicket-taker.
Top Scorer: Abdul Samad was J&K’s highest run-scorer with 748 runs at an average of 57.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Zero Discrimination Day 2026 – March 1 
Zero Discrimination Day (ZDD) is observed annually across the globe on 1 March to celebrate diversity, advocate equality and inclusion, and raise awareness about the harmful effects of discrimination across all genders, ages, ethnicities, religions, disabilities, and sexual orientations.

• March 1, 2026, marks the 12th observance of ZDD.
• 2026 Theme: “People First”

Background:
Launch: In 2013, UNAIDS, Joint United Nations Programme on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome(AIDS), launched the Zero Discrimination Campaign (ZDC) on World AIDS Day (1 December) to promote global equality and inclusion.
Global Advocate: The campaign was introduced under Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, as UNAIDS Global Advocate for Zero Discrimination, using the hashtag #zerodiscrimination.
First Observance: The inaugural Zero Discrimination Day was observed on 1 March 2014, led by Michel Sidibé, Executive Director (ED), UNAIDS, in Beijing, China.
Symbol: The butterfly is the official symbol, representing transformation toward a world where everyone can live with dignity.

World Civil Defence Day 2026 – March 1
World Civil Defence Day (WCDD), also known as World Civil Protection Day, is observed globally every year on 1 March to mark the entry into force of the International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO) Constitution and to honour civil defence personnel.

• 1 March 2026 marks the 37th observance of WCDD.
• Theme 2026: “Managing Environmental Risks for a Resilient and Sustainable Future”

Background:
Establishment: WCDD was formally instituted by the ICDO during its 9th General Assembly on 18 December 1990 in Geneva, Switzerland.
First Observance: The inaugural WCDD was held on 1 March 1990 under the aegis of the United Nations (UN).
Constitution: The date 1 March marks the entry into force of the ICDO Constitution in 1972, although it was originally adopted on 17 October 1966, establishing ICDO as an intergovernmental organization for civil defence coordination.
Strengthening Initiatives: In 2012, ICDO formally inaugurated Civil Defence Day (CDD) to enhance global protection awareness.

STATE NEWS

West Bengal Signs MoU with GIZ and SMCG for Transboundary Rivers ‘Ichhamati and Jalangi Masterplans
In February 2026, the Government of West Bengal (WB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with German federal enterprise GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) and the State Mission for Clean Ganga (SMCG) to develop basin-based masterplans for the Ichhamati and Jalangi rivers in the upper Ganga delta, addressing environmental degradation, pollution, and declining water flow.
About the Masterplan:
Programme: ‘Nodi Bandhan’ (River Binding), announced in the 2025–26 State Budget with Rs 200 crore, aims to prepare basin-based masterplans for 39 river sub-basins, beginning with Ichhamati and Jalangi.
Scope: The masterplan includes dredging, diversion of surplus water, pollution abatement, erosion control, groundwater recharge, flood mitigation, and irrigation strengthening, to be completed within one year of initiation.
Significance: The initiative promotes environmental restoration, livelihood security, flood resilience, and strengthened India–Bangladesh transboundary river cooperation.
Rivers: Ichhamati (a 200-kilometer, km, transboundary river forming the India–Bangladesh border and vital for the Sundarbans delta,) and Jalangi (a distributary of the Padma/Ganga flowing through Murshidabad and Nadia into the Bhagirathi-Hooghly) face siltation, pollution, hyacinth infestation, heavy metal contamination, erosion, and declining flow due to channel shifts.

President Droupadi Murmu Dedicates Four Schemes For Women in Delhi
On 2nd March 2026, President of India Droupadi Murmu dedicated four major welfare schemes for women during the programme titled ‘Sashakt Nari Samriddh Delhi’ held at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, Delhi, to enhance women’s safety and economic empowerment

• The four schemes are Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Scheme, Saheli Pink Smart Card, Meri Poonji Mera Adhikaar, and the Free Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Cylinder Scheme.

About Women Empowerment Initiatives:
Saheli Pink National Common Mobility Card (NCMC): Aligned with the ‘One Nation, One Card’ vision, the card will allow free travel for women residents on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, Delhi Metro, Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), and public transport, with three variants (Pink, Blue, Orange) issued by Hindon Mercantile Limited (MufinPay) and Airtel Payments Bank.
Free LPG Cylinder Scheme: Under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Rs 853 per consumer and an additional Rs 553 for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries are credited to Aadhaar-linked accounts during Holi and Diwali, with Rs 130 crore already transferred.
Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana: Provides phased assistance from birth to graduation through a Rs 61,000 government deposit maturing to approximately Rs 1.25 lakh with interest, supported by a Rs 128 crore outlay and covering orphan girls and residents of Child Care Institutions (CCIs).
Meri Poonji Mera Adhikaar: Pending funds of the Ladli Scheme are being disbursed to around 1.75 lakh beneficiaries in phases, including Rs 90 crore DBT to 30,000 girls (Phase I) and Rs 100 crore DBT to 40,000 girls (Phase II).

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